Southwest Minnesota State University
Men's Swimming & Diving
Pictures
Coach Palm
Coach Eckstrom
Don Palm Natorium
Coach Palm - 1979
1978 NIC Conference Meet
Steve Binder, Craig Porter, Jim Norton, Greg Higdem
(mini reunion)
Jim Norton, Con Eckstrom, Gary Frickey, Steve Binder, Craig Porter, Mike Fallon, and Tom Moehn
(mini reunion)
present, but not pictured - Greg Higdem
Brian Luke inducted into
Minnesota Swim Coaches Hall of Fame
Greg Higdem, Tom Moehn, Brian Luke, John Pearson, and Mike Fallon
(mini reunion)
2012 Mini Reunion in Arizona
Reed Eckstrom and Gary Frickey
Mike Fallon Hall of Honor Induction 2013
Con Eckstrom Hall of Honor Induction 2017
Tom Moehn Hall of Honor Induction 2017
Tom Moehn and Con Eckstrom
Hall of Honor Luncheon - 2017
2015 Mini Reunion in Arizona
Brian Reynolds and Gary Frickey
1985 Athletic Hall of Fame - Tom Moehn
The famous Redwood Falls gas pump picture
from a trip to Eau Claire in January of 1978
(As remembered by Gary Frickey)
We were headed to our annual show down with Eau Claire. Shortly after leaving Marshall, we realized that we had forgotten to bring along some snacks. Jim Norton was driving, and we pulled off the highway and turned into the first gas station we saw which happened to be in Redwood Falls. The gas station was sort of on a side hill and the driveway into the station was downhill from the street. So, Jim pulls in, and we realize the driveway is icy and we are not going to be able to stop in time. Well, we slide into a gas pump and knock it over. For about 2 seconds, we all held our breath, expecting the car to burst into flames from the gas shooting out of the pump…but nothing happened.
We got out of the car and the kid who was working at the station comes out and says, “I’ve never seen anything like that before!” Then he said that he was getting ready to close and had just shut off the pumps. (lucky break for us). Then the kid says, “I better call the police”. Jim, using his RA and team captain training, jumps in and says “No, don’t call the police, call the owner of the station”.
So, the kid goes back inside to call the owner. In the meantime, we realize that we really need to have a picture of this, so we set the pump back up, in front of the state car. Then the kid comes back out of the station and we ask him to take a picture for us. That is the famous “gas pump picture” that is shown here.
What is still funny is that as the kid was taking the picture, the owner drives up and says, “What the hell is going on?”. Well, somehow, Jim, using his RA and captain skills again, talks his way out of it and assures the owner that we are insured and that when we get back to Marshall, he will follow-up. In the end, the state’s insurance covered everything, and Jim didn’t get into trouble, or any points on his driver’s license.
On the next trip out of town, we drove by the gas station and saw that they had a brand-new pump. It was funny because the style of the new pump didn’t match the old pumps so it sort of stood out. Any road trip after that, we would swing by the station to check out the pump.
After the mini reunion on campus in 2017 for Con Eckstrom's and Tom Moehn's Hall of Honor induction ceremony, Jim and I were sharing a rental car and on our way back to the cities to catch our flights home. We spent about 20 minutes driving around Redwood Falls to see if we could locate the gas station, and the famous pump. Sadly, neither one is still in existance.
2017 Reunion
Back Row: Steve Peterson, John Pearson, Greg Higdem, Dave Broyles, Steve Ferek, Steve Binder, Craig Porter Dan Patterson, Tom Moehn
Front Row: Con Eckstrom, Gary Frickey, Mike Fallon, Jerry Celski, Reed Eckstrom Brian Luke
Kevin Tripp - 1972
1976 NAIA Natioals - Jon Stewart-1st 1650 Free
1975 Conference Meet - 500 Free
Dave Broyles-1st, Jim Norton-2nd, Greg Higdem-6th
Don Palm and unknown person
Don Palm - Football Coach - 1973
1975-76 Team
with (Simon Fraiser's) National Championship banner
Simon Fraiser had so many of these that they decided to throw this one in the dumpster on the way out of town. Even though the internet had not yet been invented, this picture was taken with the hopes that some day it would find an appropriate permanent location to be displayed. (here)
Coach Palm and Jim Norton - 1981
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Greg Higdem, Mark Johnson, Jim Norton,
Tom Norton, Randy Brezina
1990 NIC Conference Hall of Fame Induction
Jim and Randy were inducted
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Don Palm graduated in 1956 from White Bear Lake High School as a three sport letterman. Following a short stint a Hamline University he transferred and graduated in 1960 from Bemidji State College (now University (BSU)) earning a Bachelor of Science degree. At BSU Palm lettered in both football (58,59,60) and wrestling (59,60), he was a Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) individual wrestling champion in 1960.
After earning a Master of Science degree from Southern Illinois University he returned to BSU in 1963 and initiated the Men’s Swimming and Diving program there. As BSU Head Men’s Swimming coach he quickly earned two NIC championships (66,67) and coached his team to 5th place in 1966 and 2nd place in the 1967 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Swimming and Diving championships. His BSU team was an NAIA record setter in the 200 Medley Relay and included four All-American selections. In spring of 1967, following his success at NAIA nationals, he resigned as Head BSU swimming coach to focus on his new duties as Head BSU football coach for three unremarkable seasons.
In 1969 Palm left BSU for the opportunity to initiate the Men’s Swimming and Diving program at the newly constructed Southwest Minnesota State College (later known as Southwest State University (SSU)) in Marshall Minnesota and joined the SSU Health and Physical Education faculty (which he eventually chaired). At SSU Palm coached the Golden Mustangs to five consecutive NIC championships (73,74,75,76,77), nineteen NAIA All Americans, two NAIA individual event champions (1st place finishes in 200, 500, 1650 freestyle events and 1st place finish in 1 meter diving), and a 97-44 dual meet record. Palm successfully coached the “Southwest Swimming Machine” to the school’s first conference title in any sport. He coached his team to 3 top ten finishes at the NAIA championships and in addition, he hosted, coordinated and served as meet director for NAIA Swimming and Diving Nationals four different times (72,75,76,77) at the SSU aquatic facility.
Palm stepped down from Head swim coaching duties in 1979 and took a one year leave of absence to pursue a doctorate degree and during this absence the SSU Men’s Swimming and Diving program was terminated due to budget cuts. In 1981 Coach Palm resurfaced at Valparaiso University coaching its’ Men’s Swimming team to a 1981 Conference Championship and resulted in him being selected as the Indiana Collegiate Conference 1981 Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year. In 1982 at age 44 Coach Palm died unexpectedly.
Dom Palm’s honors include selection to BSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986, charter selection to SSU Hall of Honor in 1992, and in 1986 the SSU (now SMSU) aquatic facility was named the Don Palm Natatorium. Coach Palm is remembered not only as an outstanding swimming coach and athlete, but more importantly as a remarkable inspiration to his athletes and to all who knew him.
Craig Porter and Steve Binder
(both eventually honored as Distinguished Alumni)
Greg Higdem and Jim Norton - 1987
Mark Johnson and Jim Norton - 1990
Southwest Pool - 2017
(note: no 3 meter board and no team record board)
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Road Trip to Wyoming - 1977
Team Members by School Sign - 1978
Bottom: Pat Doar, Craig Porter, Gary Frickey, Steve Binder
77-78 Team - Dark Version
Jim Norton
Jim Norton
John Clark
Morning Workout
Pat Doar
Pat Sheehan
Pete Stalik
Roy Baligh
Tom Cook
Dan Havel
Steve Binder
Peter Bardon
Coach Palm and Mark Mohawk
Gary Frickey - 1977
NIC Conference Championship Trophy - 1973
NIC Conference Championship Trophies - 1977 & 1974
NIC Conference Championship Trophies - 1975 & 1976
Pictures from Tom Moehn's slide show at his Hall of Honor Induction
Denny Dayhuff
Team Shirt
Mini Reunion in Arizona - 12/8/17
Team Sign in Heritage Center at the Student Center
Jon Ingvalson, Tom Moehn, Steve Peterson, Craig Porter, Greg Higdem, Mike Fallon, Con Eckstrom
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State cars in the shop
Bob Gemeinder & Brian Luke swimming in Gull Lake
Bruce Ryan, Bob Gemeinder, Gary Horton, Bill Smith, Randy Brezina, Dave Hitchcock
back row: Bob Gemeinder, Randy Brezina, Gary Horton, Bruce Ryan, Chuck Christopherson
middle row: Tom Moehn, Pete Bardon, Dave Broyles, Greg Higdem
front row: Brian Luke, Dave Hitchcock
View from HA-4 overlooking State Street
View from HA-4 overlooking HA-1
Southwest Pool - February 2019
Craig Porter, Dave Broyles, Jim Norton, Greg Higdem, Tom Moehn, Mike Fallon, John Pearson
Dave Broyles Hall of Honor Induction - February 2019
Heritage Center - February 2019
John Pearson, Mike Fallon, Dave Broyles, Tom Moehn, Craig Porter, Jim Norton
Mustang Statue - February 2019
2019 Mini Reunion in Arizona - February 11th
1975-76 Team
Ready for Nationals
Kevin Black and Steve Binder
Pete Stalik, Dave Wells, Gary Johnson, Scott Shew, Craig Kelly
Craig Porter showing off his divers legs
Terry Elsmore, Pat Doar, Coach Palm
Kevin Black and Gary Frickey
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
Ron Brown, Frank Bilhman, Terry Elsmore
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
1978 Christmas Party at Coach Palm's House
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Gary Frickey
Home to swimmers staying in Marshall during spring break to train for nationals
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Scott Shew and Brian Reynolds
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Scott Shew
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Scott Shew and Kevin Black
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Scott Shew
(courtesy of Kevin Black)
Brian Wertz
Mini Reunion in Seattle, Washington - May 2019
Steve Ferek and Bill Smith
Randy Brezina, Don Meewes, Bruce Ryan, Coach Palm
Peter Bardon and Greg Higdem
Jerry Celski, Dave Broyles, Kevin Tripp, Bill Smith, Denny Dayhuff, Randy Huff, Rich Jones, Steve Ferek, Coach Palm, Dean Hawks, Kevin Tripp
Jerry Celski and Barb Marinelli
Jane Theis (married Brian Luke), Teresa Bartley,
Laurie Mertz, Jenee Schmidt,
Barb Maranilli (married Bruce Ryan)
-Teresa Bartley-Laurie Mertz-Jenee Schmidt-Barb Maranelli (married Bruce Ryan)-small1.JPG)
Jack McDonough (non swimmer), Brian Luke, Steve Larson, Bruce Ryan
-Brian Luke- Steve Larson-Bruce Ryan-small.jpg)
Brian Luke
Mini Reunion at the Boundry Waters in northern MN
September 2018
Cam Malloy and Mark Markwell
Mini Reunion in Alaska - August 2019
Mini Reunion in Alaska - August 2019
Mini Reunion in Chicago - October 2019
(courtesy of Mark Markwell)
Brian Luke's Alumni Achievement Award Banquet
October 2019
(courtesy of Tom Moehn)
Mini Reunion - Phoenix, AZ - December 14, 2019
Mini Reunion - New Brighton, MN
December 24, 2019
74-75 Diving Team
Road trip to Eau Claire in January of 1978
Jon Ingvalson, Don Eagan (frisker), Pete Stalik (friskee)
Most of these guys should probably be IN the police cars
Pat Sheehan, Jon (Wolfman) Ingvalson, Dave Wolters, Mike Conwell, Pete Stalik, Steve Binder, Cam Malloy, Gary Frickey, Dan Havel, Brian Wertz, Mark Mohawk, Reed Eckstrom
Dean Hawks - 2020 US Masters Coach of the Year
Mini Reunion - Chicago, IL - November 2020
(courtesy of Mark Markwell)
Annual Mini Golf Reunion - Phoenix, AZ
December 2020
(Mini Reunion, Not Mini Golf)
Mini Reunion - Scottsdale, AZ
January 2021
Start practice at an unknown date and time
Right to left, Butt Peterson, Bob Gmeinder, (Spelling sorry Bob) Dean Hawks, Pete Bardon, Dave Broyles, Hands Johnson. I think Dean won this race in a record time of……..Oh, can’t remember. My take anyway. - Jerry CelskiThis photo was not taken during a swim meet, no touch pads and nobody timing. It would have been taken during practice, which would explain the different suits. I believe lane 3 is Gary Horton, if you guys remember, Horton always had a red chest and belly after his starts, check out the form. I agree with Luke that it looks like Dick Jones is in lane 4 and Bob Gmeinder is in lane 5. - Pat Humphrey
Dan Havel
Craig Porter and Steve Suprenaut
Mini Reunion - Scottsdale, AZ - April 2021
Meet picture from unknown year
How "Crash" got his nickname, as remembered by Jim Norton
(includes minor changes by the editor)
I think the actual day of the mishap was Saturday Oct 4th 1975 (I have "Crash Kearns Day" written as October 4th on my yearly Calendar which gives me a good excuse to 'toast' the event with cheap beer).
Due to underestimation of total passenger weight (Crash, myself, Jon "Wolfman" Ingvalson, and Bob "Flytrap" Berg) we 'touched' down in a cornfield (already harvested so it was short stubbles and was mostly dirt) about 200 yards short of the runway. Crash words were "Oh Shit" as we descended followed by "F**K! I think I just bought an airplane" as we slid to a stop.
When the plane came to a stop, in a stressed voice Bob yelled "LETS GET OUTA HERE!" and frantically climbed over Ingvalson to escape from the aircraft. Jon and I, (*following FAA rules for a crash landing, camly removed our oxygen masks, put our tray tables in the upright and locked position, unfastened our seat belts and following the emergency lights in the floor to the nearest exit) climbed out and ran about 75 yards from the damaged plane (like the gas pump, we thought it might blow) fell to the ground laughing helplessly in response to Crash Kearn's verbal responses and more so about Bob's ("Didja hear Bob?"/"Didja see Bob?"). A sedan came rushing out from the terminal and picked us up and brought us back to the hanger area. None of us were hurt at all (maybe John's pride) but the plane was totaled by the insurance company. Cause of mishap was definitely "Pilot Error". Cause of laughter was definitely Bob's reaction.
*editors enhacement, not part of Jim's original story
Mini Reunion - Tempe, AZ - December 2021
not pictured, Mike Fallon who attended virtually by phone
Mini Reunion - Somewhere in Arizona - January 2022
(Picture and text courtesy of Greg Higdem)
Golf Outing Spring Quarter 1978
We took advantage of the fact that the Minneota golf course didn't have a dress code. Team captain, Jim Norton, recommended that we all wear our Speedo's under our shorts in case we might need to enter a water hazard to retrieve a ball. It was a warm day so for a few holes we took off our shirts and shorts and played a few holes with just our shoes and Speedo's on. In 1979, we contacted the Minneota course to see about another golf outing only to find out that they had "suddenly" implemented a dress code that prohibited "swimming attire" on the course.
Coach Palm, Frank Stalik (Pete's Dad), Pete Stalik (ball in mouth), Jon Ingvalson
Reed Eckstrom, Steve Binder, Gary Frickey, Terry Elsmore
Nationals 1977
Steve Binder, Pat Sheehan, Jim Norton, Pat Doar, Jon Ingvalson
Mini Reunion - Minoqua, Wisconsin - February 2022
(Picture courtesy of Jerry Celski)
Surprise Mini Reunion - Stillwater, MN - March 26, 2022
(Picture courtesy of Tom Moehn)
Brian Luke Inducted into the
Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame
Since 1978, the Stillwater girls and boys swimming and diving teams have displayed gold-medal excellence under longtime coach, Brian Luke. In girls swimming, Luke has led the Ponies to a 384-55-5 record in dual meets. At the state meet level, Stillwater has won 11 championships and seven True-Team state crowns. Under his guidance, Stillwater has won 19 section crowns, 26 conference titles and crowned dozens of individual state champions. In boys swimming, Luke has led the Ponies to a dual record of 337-88-3 with 15 section titles, 21 conference crowns and multiple individual state champions. Combined, he has coached 365 all-state swimmers, 185 All-American swimmers and had 119 participants selected as Academic All-Americans. A native of Hopkins, he is a member of numerous coaching hall of fame and has been selected Minnesota’s swimming coach of the year five times.
Brian Luke Inducted into the
MN High School League Hall of Fame
Left to right: Greg Higdem, Jane Luke, Tom Moehn, Brian Luke, Craig Porter
Jim Norton registering for class
In order to get the most favorable class schedule, Jim wore his letter jacket which identifies him as a member of the most influential and popular "gang" on campus.
Mini Reunion - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
August 2022
(Pictures courtesy of Dave Broyles)
2013 Team Reunion - Golf Outing
Dave Broyles, Gary Frickey, Jim Norton, Con Eckstrom
(Pictures courtesy of Craig Porter)
(Team golf shirts courtesy of Greg Higdem...and the SMSU Alumni Association)
Mini Reunion - Council Bluffs, Iowa - October 2022
(Picture courtesy of Dan Patterson)
Mini Reunion - Phoenix, Arizona - February 2023
Brian Luke driving the bus (BIG state car) with his team to a meet.
"The wheels on the bus go round and round..."
Brian "Bip" Reynolds
13 Time NCAA Division II National Champions - Men
10 Time NCAA Division II National Champions - Women
(Picture courtesy of Steve Binder)
Craig Porter - 2023 NCAA Division I National Championships
from YMCA, Age Group, High School and College.
(Prequel) Mini Reunion - Austin, Minnesota - 1985
Jim Norton - NSIC Hall of Fame - 1990
Northern Intercollegiate Conference
Southwest Minnesota State College/Southwest State University
James (Jim) Norton graduated from White Bear Lake Minnesota Senior High School in 1974 and attended Southwest Minnesota State University (SSU) on an academic and swimming scholarship. As a scholar athlete he earned a Bachelor of Arts (dual major in Chemistry and Biology) graduating in 1978.
Athletically Jim earned All Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) honors each of his four years (75,76,77,78) as a mid-distance freestyler. He was the NIC 200 free champion in 1975 and anchored the NIC record setting 800 free relay which earned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American honors in 76 after placing 4th at NAIA Nationals. Jim was recognized by the team and coaching staff as “Most Improved” in 1975, “Most Inspirational” in 1976 (following his come from behind victory anchoring the 800 free relay which inspired the team to its 4th NIC championship) and selected as co-captain his junior and senior year (77,78).
Head SSU Swimming Coach Don Palm noted in 1977 “Jim has shown great leadership qualities both in and out of the pool. His good nature is reflected in the Southwest State “Swimming Machine’s” great team spirit and unity”. Norton was also a student leader in campus activities serving on Student Activity Fee Allocating Committee 76,77,78; Student Accreditation Committee 78; Student Foundation Fundraiser 78; Student Senate 76-77; and was a Resident Assistant 1976-77,1977-78.
Following SSU graduation Jim earned a Masters of Science (MS) from the University of Massachusetts, and was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He served in the United States Navy as an Aerospace Physiologist where among his responsibilities was the oversight of the Naval Aviation Physiology and Water Survival Training Program. Captain Norton concluded his 30 year Navy career as Commanding Officer of the Navy Medicine Operational Training Center.
Link to NSIC website article
Randy Brezina - NSIC Hall of Fame - 1990
Northern Intercollegiate Conference
Southwest Minnesota State College/Southwest State University
Randy “Bear” Brezina from Berwyn Illinois swam for Southwest State University (SSU) from 1972-1976 earning Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) “All Conference” each year of competition and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) “All American “ status twice. He was considered the SSU Mustang’s most versatile swimmer as he successfully competed in the Individual Medley, Butterfly, Freestyle and Backstroke events. Brezina was a key member of three different SSU relay teams that finished top 12 at 1976 NAIA nationals. For four consecutive years he competed on the 400 and 800 free relay teams that won NIC championships. Brezina graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in geology in 1976.
Link to NSIC website article
Don Palm - NSIC Hall of Fame - 1986
Don Palm graduated in 1956 from White Bear Lake High School as a three sport letterman. Following a short stint a Hamline University he transferred and graduated in 1960 from Bemidji State College (now University (BSU)) earning a Bachelor of Science degree. At BSU Palm lettered in both football (58,59,60) and wrestling (59,60), he was a Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) individual wrestling champion in 1960.
After earning a Master of Science degree from Southern Illinois University he returned to BSU in 1963 and initiated the Men’s Swimming and Diving program there. As BSU Head Men’s Swimming coach he quickly earned two NIC championships (66,67) and coached his team to 5th place in 1966 and 2nd place in the 1967 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Swimming and Diving championships. His BSU team was an NAIA record setter in the 200 Medley Relay and included four All-American selections. In spring of 1967, following his success at NAIA nationals, he resigned as Head BSU swimming coach to focus on his new duties as Head BSU football coach for three unremarkable seasons.
In 1969 Palm left BSU for the opportunity to initiate the Men’s Swimming and Diving program at the newly constructed Southwest Minnesota State College (later known as Southwest State University (SSU)) in Marshall Minnesota and joined the SSU Health and Physical Education faculty (which he eventually chaired). At SSU Palm coached the Golden Mustangs to five consecutive NIC championships (73,74,75,76,77), nineteen NAIA All Americans, two NAIA individual event champions (1st place finishes in 200, 500, 1650 freestyle events and 1st place finish in 1 meter diving), and a 97-44 dual meet record. Palm successfully coached the “Southwest Swimming Machine” to the school’s first conference title in any sport. He coached his team to 3 top ten finishes at the NAIA championships and in addition, he hosted, coordinated and served as meet director for NAIA Swimming and Diving Nationals four different times (72,75,76,77) at the SSU aquatic facility.
Palm stepped down from Head swim coaching duties in 1979 and took a one year leave of absence to pursue a doctorate degree and during this absence the SSU Men’s Swimming and Diving program was terminated due to budget cuts. In 1981 Coach Palm resurfaced at Valparaiso University coaching its’ Men’s Swimming team to a 1981 Conference Championship and resulted in him being selected as the Indiana Collegiate Conference 1981 Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year. In 1982 at age 44 Coach Palm died unexpectedly.
Dom Palm’s honors include selection to BSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986, charter selection to SSU Hall of Honor in 1992, and in 1986 the SSU (now SMSU) aquatic facility was named the Don Palm Natatorium. Coach Palm is remembered not only as an outstanding swimming coach and athlete, but more importantly as a remarkable inspiration to his athletes and to all who knew him.
Link to NSIC website article
1975 NIC Conference Champions
Back Row: Tom Moehn, Jim Norton, Bruce Ryan, Pat Doar, Peter Bardon, Coach Palm, Ted Wright, Jerry Celski, Dave Garman
Front Row: Mike Fallon, Randy Brazina, Jerry Kepler, Denny Dayhuff, Dave Broyles, Randy Huff, Pat Sheehan, Chuck Fuller
Mini Reunion - New Brighton, MN October 1, 2023
Mini Reunion - Cheyenne, WY November 14, 2023
1975 and 1976 Summer "Team" Pictures
...Twas sometime around Thanksgiving in 1974...
The actual Don Palm quote was "anybody can drink 10 or 12 beers..."
The reality was both Hog and Doar had each consumed a case of Steinhaus. I consumed about 14 and was hard down for about 4 days. (I think Doar claims to have drunk 27 bottles)
This was following our return to Southwest following a dual meet with St. Olaf in Northfield. On his way from Detroit Lakes (DL) to Northfield Hog had passed through Waite Park (near St. Cloud) and at a highly reputable liquor store purchased 3 cases of Steinhaus for $8 (comes out to about 11cents per bottle of top grade beer). He loaded the three caes into the trunk of his notorious 'Falcoon' where they (beer and Hog) traveled to the meet in Northfield and eventually to Southwest.
We were on Quarter break (very few students on campus), it was Saturday night before Monday's Winter quarter registration. So, with nothing to do but watch 'cable' TV, we unloaded the beer from the Falcon. Hog and Doar proceed to consume a couple of beers and then a couple more, and then a few more. At about 8:30 PM I decided I would try to catch up by drinking one Steinhaus every 10 minutes. Not so good of an idea...
Well for Sunday morning practice I was a no show, coach had to call to wake me up. Once in the pool, I was weaving in lane six, I passed Wolfman (Jon Ingvalson) swimming the other way, he stopped short and grabbed me in the middle of the lane exclaiming that I smelt like a brewery. Soon after we got the alcohol lecture.
Attached are my reminders "I'll never drink again!" I said well...at least until Happy Hour at the Chalet...
Oh, we won the meet.
Hog may be able to provide more accurate details, it was all pretty fuzzy to me...
Happy Thanksgiving!
Greg's follow-up
It very close.
- I had 24 beers and Doar had 26
- I actually bought 6 cases
- $2.66 each or 3 for $8.00
- I charged $.25 for each beer
- Norton was sick for at least 3 days
- They called my room wondering why I wasn't at practice. Doar turned off my alarm.
- We made it
- I never missed a practice in 4 years
Mini Reunion - Deerfield. Illinois January 19, 2024
Mini Reunion - Elkhorn, Nebraska February 3, 2024
Hall of Honor Induction - Marshall, MN January 27, 2024
Spring Quarter 1978 after everyone on the team shaved their heads for the conference meet
Mini Reunion - Dubuque, Iowa - 2024
Mini Reunion - Minoqua, Wisconsin - June 19, 2024
Birthday Reunion - Sartell, MN - July, 2024
Greg's 70th Birthday
Mini Reunion - East Glacier, Montana - August 24, 2024
Mini Reunion - Granville, Tennessee - September 27, 2024
Mini Intrasquad/Alumni Meet - Papillion, Nebraska
September 29, 2024
Dave and I met up last Sunday for a Pentathlon swim meet Papillion-La Vista High School, but we avoided each other in direct competition. He swam the 500 free, while I did the 100 of each stroke and 200 IM, the required order for the pentathlon, so, as the SSU Mustang men's team, we won every event for the 60-64 age group! (Ignore that we were the only two men swimmers IN that age group!)
Mini Reunion - Scottsdale, Arizona - October 11, 2024
Homecoming - Marshall, MN October 12, 2024
Pictures Courtesy of Craig Porter
Team Meeting - 1976
Third Row: Dean Hawks, Steve Binder, Pat Sheehan, Glenn Stewart, Bob Berg
Second Row: Jon Stewart, Jon Invalson, Steve Peterson, Craig Porter
Front Row: Pat Doar, John Kerns
Jim Norton's Hall of Honor Induction - February 8, 2025
Celebrating Mike Fallon's 72nd birthday
Southwest Pool - February 8, 2025
Front Row: Mike Fallon, Jim Norton, Gary Frickey, John Pearson
Mini Reunion - Glendale, Arizona - February 23, 2025
Mini Reunion - Elkhorn, Nebraska - February 8, 2025
Brian Reynolds - 1979
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Brian Reynolds - 2025
From the Albert Lea Tribune Newspaper - March 31, 1972
Dean and I, at the beginning of Spring break, were given a ride by Jerry Celski, I think, to So. St. Paul, where Jerry and I grew up. Dean and I had made plans to drive to Casper to visit his Mother in Casper over the break. The reason we had to go to SSP first instead of leaving from Marshall was so Dean could pick up his vehicle from a body shop after getting repaired from an accident that he had been involved in which I don't remember why?! Anyway...
After picking up Dean's vehicle on Friday afternoon, Dean and I left my parents house with the ol' "Please be careful because of the weather" some time in the early evening and headed south on Highway 35 figuring we were going to trade off driving straight through the night to Casper. We were laughing and being smart asses as we traveled south with Dean taking the first driving shift. Sometime between leaving SSP and Albert Lea, I took to the back seat to try to get some sleep but that was not happening with the excitement of heading to WY. I crawled back into the front passenger seat and put on my seat belt just as the vehicle started to slip and slide on the icy and snowy highway. Dean did his best to right the vehicle but we headed into the berm on the right side of the highway. The vehicle hit the ditch and embankment head on and we rolled over about three times as we were bouncing and swearing. When the vehicle stopped rolling we checked with each other to make sure we were both still alive. I think we landed up right on all four wheels??? Things are a little foggy here because I don't remember if the Highway Patrol gave us a hitch or some Good Samaritan stopped and gave us a ride to the hospital in Albert Lea...and no we were not "high"!!
When at the hospital sometime around 10pm and later we were both checked out by the nurses and a grandfatherly ER Doc. Both of us were pretty well bruised up with the type of bruises that only hurt when we laughed but thankfully no cuts or broken bones. We both called our parents and told them the good news and Dean's Father was more pissed about the damaged vehicle than if his son was alright. My Father said he would drive down to get us but the ER Doc told him not to drive until the next morning when the weather would be better. Doc was so kind and he took us to his house and gave us beds for the night and he and his wife took care of us. My Father did come down the next morning and took us back to SSP. We were very lucky, Thank God, that nothing more traumatizing happened to either of us. That, of course, was the last time we saw Dean's vehicle!!
Mini Reunion - Tempe, Arizona - March 28, 2025
(And a potential All-American recruit for the Southwest women's team)
Celebrating ANOTHER dual meet victory - 1972
Middle row: Dick Jones, Gary Anderson, Steve Davis, Mike Fallon
Front row: Dave Broyles, Dean Hawks, Rick smith
Mini Celebrity Reunion - Mahnomen, MN - May 16, 2025
